One

This post is called 'one' for two reasons. A) because it is my one year anniversary since arriving wide eyed in Japan 365 days ago and B) Because that is the name of my absolute favorite 'Sex and the City' episode when Brady turns one years old, and Steve and Miranda get back together. The reason I am in 'Sex and the City' mode is because the movie has FINALLY come to Japan!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay ya yay!!!!! And I am going to see it tomorrow with some girlfriends. SO excited about that!!! We are a little behind the rest of the world because they need to figure out how to translate the dialogue into subtitles.

Yeah, one year in Japan. Even the air smells familiar, is that strange? Things feel the same in the air as they did when I first arrived. At the moment I am sipping a nice white wine contemplating what to say about the past year, but there really isn't a way to sum things up so simply. Maybe something will come to me another day. However my anniversary was great. I spent the day reading outside in the sun, beautiful weather today, then went swimming, and am now going to cook a fabulous meal of salmon with a white wine and garlic marinade with a salad.

Last Sunday I volunteered at the Fukui Natural History Museum. It was great! One of my higher level students is a paleontologist who works for the museum. First I was shown around the place for two hours. It was great being able to go into all the secret rooms, and storage areas, so much of what they actually have isn't even on display. It was interesting to go behind the scenes and see how things are run. In the overwhelming moth ball smelling animal storage room I saw all the animals that they aren't displaying at the moment, wild birds, deer, bears, etc. My student Junko then showed me a famous Japanese bird that has been extinct for only 10 years. I'm pretty sure it's name was Nippon something or other, and it was white with a red head. They don't display it because it is very rare, and they don't want the colours to fade. This may sound really nerdy, but everything she said was fascinating, I feel like I know Japan and its animals so much better now. After that, I spent my time trying to write an English FAQ sheet so that the person at the front can answer questions for foreigners if they ever come to the museum. I think I will also write an English guide to the museum. I didn' t go this week, but I think I am going back next week. Then on the 14th, there is a moon viewing party on the roof with a big telescope.

Recently at work I've been given several more classes to teach. Even though it is my job and I shouldn't feel annoyed, I naturally totally did. I was feeling very burnt out last week after climbing Fuji and then working all week. So, I've decided to actually take the vacation days that I am allowed to take, and am planning a trip to TOKYO at the end of September. And have requested a few other random days so that I don't start to dislike work. I only have two months left, and they are looking like a really good two months now.

Okay, well my salmon and wine is waiting for me at home, so goodbye for now.

Peace out,
Hat and Bailey xoxoxoxooxox
(I am totally actually wearing hat right at this moment (in case you were wondering))